FANNZ challenges NZ doctors to defend fluoridation in public

On Wed Feb 20, the Royal College Australian Physcians (RCAP) renewed its strong support for the outdated practice of water fluoridation. They offered no sound science why the modern studies that demonstrate it is neither safe nor effective should be ignored.

Professor Paul Connett, co-author of the book “The Case Against Fluoride” who is currently touring NZ on a trip sponsored by Fluoride Action Network NZ (FANNZ), said “it is no longer acceptable for bodies like RCAP to simply to use their ‘authority’ to promote fluoridation. Sadly too many ‘authorities’ in the past have betrayed the public’s trust on this practice. Our book has shown that the science showing the swallowing fluoride reduces tooth decay is very weak indeed, meanwhile the evidence that fluoride causes harm is growing. What scientific studies can RCAP offer which allows them to ignore the 36 studies that have shown a lowering of IQ at fairly modest levels of fluoride in water?”

FANNZ today calls upon RCAP to take the opportunity of professor Connett’s visit (Feb 18- March 8) and find one medical doctor among their ranks to debate him in public debate. This would give them an excellent opportunity to show where any of the science-based arguments in his book are wrong. If they cannot do so the public should take their pro-fluoridation views with a large piece of salt.

Meanwhile, Professor Connett has been telling audiences in New Zealand that Doctors should be ashamed to support the use of the public water supply to deliver medicine. He says, “Since 1945, when fluoridation began, we haven’t used the public water to deliver any other medicine and for obvious reasons. 1) You can’t control the dose; 2) you can’t control who gets the medicine and 3) it violates the individual’s right to informed consent to medicine. Doctors should know this is lousy medicine and they should not support it.”

FANNZ is calling on people to contact RCAP (Ph: (04) 472 6713 or racp@racp.org.nz) to tell them public relations spin is not going to win the issue; they have to defend their position with solid science in a public forum. Prof Connett is offering them a splendid opportunity to do so. It’s time to put up or shut up.